Obama to arrive in Washington by train

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

President-elect Barack Obama will kick off his inaugural celebration on Jan. 17 — the weekend before his swearing in as the country's 44th president — by traveling on a train to the nation's capital.

He and his family will start their daylong journey with an event in Philadelphia before boarding the train and picking up Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family in Wilmington, Del. The president-elect and his group then will make a stop in Baltimore before making their way to Washington.

Obama will take office Jan. 20.

"We hope to include as many Americans as possible who wish to participate, but can't be in Washington," Emmett Beliveau, the executive director of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, said in a statement. "These events will allow us to do that while honoring the rich history and tradition of previous inaugural journeys."

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28235124/

[annabanana]

1. Ok.. now that is very cool. .

I hope we get lots and lots of coverage of the crowds lining the route...

(Those of you lucky enough to live in the corridor.. please take pictures!)

[Alter Ego]

2. That's how Lincoln got to Washington

However, he was smuggled in a cargo hold to avoid assassination attempts.

[qanda]

3. This is a great idea!

I might go to the stop in Baltimore and watch the inauguration on tv.

[CheCheCheCheYerBooty]

4. Can't wait!

I'm taking my whole family to the inaugral. I bought all of them new digital cameras to record this historic event. "Free at last"!

[DS1]

5. Better put Steven Seagal on it!

:scared:

[gristy]

6. That is indeed very cool. I can imagine folks lining the tracks the whole way.

Wouldn't that be something!

[Malidictus Maximus]

7. I wonder if the trains used by FDR or Truman are still around

[Historic NY]

13. yes it is...Ferdinand Magellan now privately owned

http://gcrm.org/magellan.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Magellan_Railcar

I am sure they will come up with some car. There are still many private "Presidential" "Executive" cars out there.

The National Park Service manages Steamtown in Pa. and has running available railroad assets that could be made available. http://www.nps.gov/stea/planyourvisit/tour37.htm

I remember seeing the Ferdinand Magellan sitting on a siding in Penn Station in NY. word has it there are still a few armored cars sitting at Grand Central. Most of the major railroads also have vintage cars they run from time to time.

[bdamomma]

8. oh hurry up Jan. 20th.

I will be able to breathe again when he is finally in the WH.

[kirby]

9. Security nightmare. n/t

[DonEBrook]

11. You're right...and that's why it is a stupid idea.

...

[rollin74]

20. yes. it's a dumb idea

very dangerous. especially considering all the threats against Obama lately. Too many miles along that train route to secure effectively

[Bette Noir]

10. What a showman.

It's going to be a great day.

I hope he signs a bunch of executive orders before going to all the balls.

[Pacifist Patriot]

12. Seriously, who can get a direct flight anywhere at a decent price these days?

Oh wait, I get it. Ceremonial appeal with trains. ;)

[gristy]

16. Direct is tough enough, but try getting one non-stop. Arrghh.

[Phred42]

14. Good move - Stay off of the Planes for a while

especially small private planes

[SharonRB]

15. I wish he would have taken the train all the way from Chicago

and stopped in Detroit on his way!

[Odin2005]

17. I hope this is a sign that Obama will invest a lot into rail.

[machI]

25. Better train service around the country would please me to no end. n/t

[Odin2005]

28. I can't drive, so I desprately want rail service between Fargo and Minneapolis

n/t

[floridablue]

18. I think he should ride a horse. And remember

Lincoln had to sneak into town due to death threats.

[tomhayes]

19. He won't get his bailout that way

He should walk so the mean congress people won't criticize him!

[Sabriel]

21. I hope the bathroom on his car works

Ours didn't on our last City to New Orleans run.

Seriously, though, I hope this is an indication of a new era in funding for rail.

[Rabrrrrrr]

22. While I like this symbolically, it scares the shit out of me security-wise.

[qwlauren35]

23. I know how you feel... but he is REFUSING to hide.

The man went and shopped for Xmas trees.

If that's not a hint that he's determined to be an accessible president, I don't know what is.

Maybe it will get him killed. But he's clearly ready to take that risk, and no one is able to talk him out of it.

He has a 75% approval rating, and very few haters between Philadelphia and DC. I think he'll be okay.

Kinda like those of us who flew after 9/11. If someone in the crowd tried something, s/he'd be deader than a crowd-stomped Walmart security guard within a few small seconds.

I know - that's a sick image, but probably accurate.

[applegrove]

24. I think that is gilding the lilly. All Obama has to do is simply show up on inargural day

and that will be more than enough of an event. IMHO

[JCMach1]

26. Is this a bit of ham-handed symbolism or cool?

Haven't decided yet...

[marshall]

27. So much for the Blair House

The Obamas don't need Bush's "guest house" or the media's overblown reporting about "no room at the inn".